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What would you be willing to give if you could look 10 years younger?
One of the obvious answers would be cosmetic surgery, but most of us are not too keen on going under the knife. Reasons vary and they include the risk of complications, scars, and the cost of it all.
Fortunately for us today, we have a range of options to help us achieve a youthful appearance that is comparable to surgical enhancements. Over the years, experts and companies have tried to create alternative solutions to surgery by improving tools and practices. This makes it possible for us to achieve a facelift, define a chin, or tone your abs without having to go the radical route of surgery.
If you are interested in these non-invasive enhancements, here are seven ways that can help you achieve the look you desire.
Exfoliate
Exfoliation serves many key functions. It helps unclog pores and prevent blackhead formation, while encouraging the removal of dead skin cells on the surface that are ready to be sloughed. Consequently, this improves skin turnover and renewal, making skin look fresh and radiant.
To ensure that you enjoy the benefits of exfoliation, you have to do it right. Apply your exfoliating formula of choice no more than 2-3 times a week. Over-exfoliating can pull cells away even though they are not ready to be shed. This triggers irritation and inflammation, and may even worsen acne breakouts.
Another important reminder with exfoliation is to ensure that it is gentle on your skin. Scrutinize the ingredients in your washes better. Natural exfoliants will be a safer choice, but there are also several options that treat the skin without being physically abrasive.
If you still think that exfoliation is just an extra step and effort in your beauty regimen, you might want to reconsider if you know that it helps make topical treatments more effective.
Chemical Peels
Aside from acne, acne scars, and melasma, chemical peels are also a reliable non-surgical treatment for fine lines. Preparations come in varying strengths to address different skin problems. Glycolic acid (GA) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels have been shown to improve mild photoaging of the skin. This means that rough texture and fine wrinkles are improved.
Instead of taking it upon yourself with DIY peels, it is always best to invest in professional help. Your physician’s qualifications are an important consideration to avoid the hazards of imperfect treatment. Be sure that you are serviced by trained dermatologists who acquired plenty of experience in chemical peeling during their post-graduate training in dermatology.
There are several affordable aesthetic clinics in Singapore with tempting offers, but always remember that your safety and the quality of your results is your priority.
Photofacial
This is a skin treatment that uses light-based technology to treat brown spots, diminish the appearance of broken capillaries, and boost collagen. The best candidates for this treatment are people who have sun-damaged skin that is evidenced by liver spots, age spots, hyperpigmentation, broken capillaries, enlarged pores, and loose skin. It can stimulate collagen renewal resulting in smoother and healthier skin.
A photofacial can address various layers of skin damage as necessary, and can benefit almost every skin type. This treatment is generally painless, although it may induce mild redness or swelling which generally disappears within 24 hours. Below the skin’s surface, the production of structural protein collagen is increased, slowing down the development of wrinkles and improving the appearance of fine lines and sagging.
Fillers
Injectable fillers can give a more youthful look for a fraction of the cost of traditional facelifts, and are far less traumatizing, too. The long and short of it is that dermal fillers can fix a variety of concerns related to facial aging.
Dermal fillers are different and should not be confused with another popular injectable in the market that is made from a neurotoxic protein in the Clostridium botulinum. They can be naturally derived or synthetic, and are injected into the skin for the purpose of plumping target areas to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, depressions, and folds. Depending on the type of filler used, the effects can last anywhere from six months to two years – sometimes even longer.
This treatment can also be used to augment the cheeks and enhance their shape. It can also be introduced into the lower cheek or temple area to improve volume and address gauntness in these areas due to fat pads shifting underneath the skin.
Microdermabrasion
This procedure exfoliates and removes the superficial layers of dry and dead skin cells by using a minimally abrasive instrument to “sand” your skin. It is dubbed as the “lunch time facial” because it can be completed in as little as 30 minutes. In that amount of time, it can remove dull surface layers and stimulate an increase in collagen production and rejuvenation. Patients report significant improvement in skin tone, texture, and color of the targeted areas. It can address problems like enlarged pores, mild acne scars, and fine lines.
Microdermabrasion also comes with risks that are mostly associated with poor application of practice or unsterile conditions. If not performed by a certified skin care professional, this treatment can put patients at risk for contracting infections, or perforated skin from the microdermabrasion crystals. Any risk and possible complications are greatly reduced when you go to a qualified and experienced professional.
Radiofrequency Treatment
Sometimes, the flawless complexion celebrities have is not just the result of good genes or organic diets. They may have had a little help from aesthetic treatments like radiofrequency (RF).
Working similarly to how ironing works on wrung-out clothes, radiofrequency energy creates natural-looking results in skin tightening by promoting collagen production. The energy travels to the deepest layers of the skin where the collagen is located to create its tightening and plumping action. On the surface, it smoothens wrinkles, tightens sagging jowls, and reduces hooding on the eyes.
Today, new technology redefined as focused RF technology makes this treatment safer and more efficient. BTL Exilis Elite™ is the first to simultaneously combine radiofrequency and ultrasound to tighten the skin and address other body contour concerns. It is also designed to provide optimum patient comfort while contouring the face and body. More importantly, it acts on your problem areas without downtime, side effects, and complications.
Thread Lift
To address the effects of gravity and aging on our skin, a thread lift is an innovative procedure that gently lifts sagging facial skin to produce a smoother and youthful appearance. Also known as a suture lift, this non-surgical treatment uses threads or sutures that are made from the same materials used in surgery to close wounds. The thread discreetly holds repositioned facial tissue and skin in place, much like suspension cables.
It can rejuvenate and restore youthful contours in areas such as the brows, jowls, cheeks and neck. The thread comes with cones or knots that hold lifted skin in place, and they also work by stimulating collagen production. The results can last from 18 months to 5 years depending on the thread used.
It may not replace traditional facelift surgery, but it can address mild sagging where collagen deposits are still enough for regeneration. The ideal candidates for this procedure are those aged 30-60 years.
These are just some of the options available to us today if surgery is not up for discussion. They are not miracle treatments, as they also need the guidance and expertise of qualified professionals to be successful. Choosing a good aesthetic clinic in Singapore is a critical to achieving your goals, so take the time to look around.
If you take interest in any non-surgical treatments to address your skin aging concerns, bring these issues only to the professionals. The Aesthetic Centre’s Dr. Anita Soosay has ten years of private practice in Aesthetics Medicine in Singapore under her belt. Passionate about providing innovative treatments through medical aesthetics, she is the expert you need when you don’t want to go under the knife.
Book your consultation with Dr. Soosay today, here.
If some of your questions or concerns are not addressed above, feel free
to book your consultation at The Aesthetics Centre. Book your private consultation with us today so that we can extensively evaluate your case and
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